Nancy Burgess
An Arizona native, Nancy Burgess is a historian and photographer specializing in the history of Central Arizona. She is the author of An Arizona Auto Adventure: Clarence Boynton's 1913 Travelogue, her latest book, A Photographic Tour of 1916 Prescott, Arizona published by McFarland & Company, Inc. in 2005 and An Illustrated History of Mayer, Arizona, also published by McFarland & Company, Inc., in 2012 and the co-author of Around Yavapai County: Celebrating Arizona’s Centennial published in 2011 by Arcadia Publishing, Inc. She is the photographer for Ranch Dog, A Tribute to the Working Dog in the American West by Marianne Murdock published in 2000 by Willow Creek Press. Nancy Burgess is a member of the Western Writers of America and is the recipient of several awards including the Governor’s Awards for Historic Preservation 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007; Arizona Culturekeeper 2008; Sharlot Hall Award, 2010; and the Prescott Western Heritage Foundation Award, 2013. She lives in Prescott, Arizona. Also a professional photographer, she is an independent preservation consultant and has written extensively on the subject. |
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An Arizona Auto Adventure: Clarence Boynton's 1913 Travelogue Like many travelers of the time, Clarence Boynton apparently carried a notebook and a pencil in his pocket to record this journey. The travelogue, which he entitled “An Account of the Watkins-Boynton 1,000 Mile Tour Through Northern Arizona, August 28 to October 3, 1913,” and was written during the trip, chronicles the 36-day, approximately 1,000 mile Arizona adventure Clarence and his wife Mariquita made with Clarence’s friend, Dr. William Warner Watkins, his wife Bessie and the Watkins’ nine-month old daughter, Merial. There were reportedly two purposes for the trip: first, Dr. Watkins had a 1913 Studebaker SA25, and he was an “autoist” who loved auto travel; second, Clarence Boynton had come to Dr. Watkins’ sanitarium in Phoenix, Arizona to be treated for pulmonary tuberculosis, and Dr. Watkins was anxious to show off the remarkable recovery of his patient. Dr. Watkins and Clarence Boynton had been on a shorter trip earlier in the year, which is briefly mentioned in the journal, so they had some idea of what they were in for. This was no casual trip for the faint of heart or the physically frail. It was an adventure for all, including baby Merial. The journal clearly shows that the Watkins and the Boyntons all had a true pioneering travel spirit in the tradition of those who came before by foot, on horse or muleback, by wagon train, stagecoach or the railroad. As Clarence Boynton wrote in his account, it “was no country for an auto.” The stories of the places and experiences of the Watkins and the Boyntons have been expanded and enhanced by the author with text describing the places traveled to and through, and with period appropriate advertisements, maps and photographs. The additional text is intended to add detail about the places to which they traveled and to give a sense of the time and place of the trip. Contemporary photographs by the author have also been included where appropriate. 2013 | SOFT COVER | 206 pages | 200 illustrations |
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An Illustrated History of Mayer, Arizona This volume chronicles the story of this rural western town and the men and women who put it on the map, including its founders, Joseph and Sarah Mayer, who established their settlement around Big Bug Stage Station, purchased for $1,200 in 1882. It traces the influence of the Mayers and other early families through later generations and the town’s role in the growth of ranching, the railroad and mining. Covering a spectrum of topics integral to the history of central Arizona, this depicts the uncompromising landscape and pioneering spirit that defines the western American frontier. There are 314 historical and contemporary photographs, advertisements, maps and illustrations included. 2012 | SOFT COVER | 264 pages | 300 illustrations |
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Around Yavapai County: Celebrating Arizona’s Centennial In Celebration of Arizona’s Centennial in 2012, editors Nancy Burgess and Karen Despain have worked on behalf of the Yavapai County Arizona Centennial Committee to produce this history of Yavapai County. The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available for all. On February 23, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill creating the Territory of Arizona. The First Arizona Territorial Legislature established the capital at Prescott and met in September 1964. They divided the Territory into four counties: Mohave, Pima, Yavapai and Yuma. Yavapai County, the “mother county,” consisted of approximately 65,000 square miles and was believed to be the largest county in the United States. By the time Arizona attained statehood on February 14, 1812, there were 14 counties and Yavapai County had been reduced in size to 8,125 square miles. Yavapai County has a rich history in mining, ranching, farming, military and business. Today, Yavapai County is a thriving, growing county with nine incorporated cities and towns and numerous unincorporated communities such as Ash Fork, Black Canyon City, Cornville, Mayer and Skull Valley. Historic sites include Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott, the Town of Jerome, Fort Verde, Montezuma’s Castle and Well and Tuzigoot. 2011 | SOFT COVER | 127 pages | 197 illustrations |
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A Photographic Tour of 1916 Prescott, Arizona This photographic history of Prescott is based upon more than 100 images from the 1916 glass plate negatives. Complementary images of business advertisements, trade tokens, and streetscapes supplement the main photographs. Richly detailed captions highlight many aspects of the pictures and the text further explores and describes the town’s historic downtown district, much of which still exists. 2005 | HARDBACK | 232 pages | 244 illustrations |
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Ranch Dog When in their element, doing what they have been bred and trained to do, there are few things that can compare to the sheer joy and amazement one experiences while looking on in disbelief. Wonderful photographs depict the freedom, landscapes, horses, livestock and riders that share the range, and the adventurous and beautiful lifestyle, that belongs to these dogs. 2000 | HARDBACK WITH DUST COVER | 96 pages | 59 photos |